This is an opportunity for Canberra to experience the incredible work happening across our campus and celebrate the role ANU has played in Australia’s story for the past 80 years.
The Australian National University (ANU) will welcome thousands of visitors to campus on Saturday 15 August as it celebrates its 80th anniversary with a free Community Day showcasing the discoveries, people and ideas that have shaped Australia’s national university.
ANU Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Rebekah Brown said families, alumni, staff, students and visitors will enjoy a day of interactive research experiences, live entertainment, exhibitions and activities designed to inspire curiosity while celebrating eight decades of impact.
“This is an opportunity for Canberra to experience the incredible work happening across our campus and celebrate the role ANU has played in Australia’s story for the past 80 years,” Professor Brown said.
Charley Ellwood, 2026 President of the ANU Students Association, said the Community Day is the chance for the entire community to come together to celebrate what makes ANU special.
“ANU is so much more than a place to study, it’s a community built by the people who learn, work and connect here,” Ellwood said.
One of the things that makes ANU so special is the creativity, curiosity and research happening here every day.
“The Community Day celebration gives us a chance to open that up to Canberra and share the ideas, discoveries and people that are pushing the boundaries of knowledge that is helping to shape Australia and the world.”
The Community Day forms part of the University’s 80th anniversary celebrations recognising the people, discoveries and partnerships that have defined ANU since 1946.
The Community Day will feature:
• Interactive research demonstrations
• Family activities
• Live performances
• Historic displays
• Talks from leading researchers
• Student showcases
• Food and entertainment
• Newly reopened University House
Visitors are encouraged to explore the campus, meet researchers and discover how ANU continues to help solve Australia’s biggest challenges.
Free buses, “Molly” and “Nugget”, named after two influential figures in the University’s history, will make it easy to get between Community Day attractions across campus.
The free shuttle loop stops at University House, the FUSE Glass Prize exhibition at the ANU School of Art & Design and ANU Kitchen Garden. The full circuit takes around 25 minutes, with a bus arriving at each stop every 10–15 minutes.
The program of activities is available here.
